Pool Construction Cost Calculator

Get a quick price range for building an inground vinyl, fiberglass or concrete pool, or installing an above-ground pool. Every range is editable.
Units
Units

15 × 30 ft = 450 sq ft.

Inground fiberglass cost

$79k–$149k

An inground fiberglass pool with 450 sq ft of water surface typically costs $78,750 to $148,500.

Midpoint
$113,625
Range used
$175.00/sq ft to $330.00/sq ft
Extras
$0.00

Ranges cover the pool itself. Decking, fencing, permits, electrical and landscaping are extra; add your quotes under extras.

How it's calculated

inground: cost = water surface area × cost per sq ft (low and high) + extras above-ground: cost = installed range + extras
  • Inground ranges per square foot: vinyl liner $130.00–$240.00; fiberglass $175.00–$330.00; concrete (gunite/shotcrete) $200.00–$350.00. Source: This Old House, Inground Pool Cost (2026 guide): installation only, no decking or fencing, checked 2026-10-29.
  • Above-ground: $1,600–$7,500 installed (HomeGuide pricing as cited by HomeServe (2026)).
  • These are national figures. Replace them with local quotes as soon as you have them; the calculator then simply does the arithmetic.

Worked example

A 15 × 30 ft fiberglass pool (450 sq ft of water surface), no extras:

  1. Low: 450 × $175.00 = $78,750.
  2. High: 450 × $330.00 = $148,500.
  3. Range: $78,750 to $148,500, midpoint $113,625.

Add decking, fencing and permits under extras to see the full project. Once you have a figure, theoperating cost calculator shows what the pool costs every year after that.

How the pool types compare

  • Vinyl liner: lowest upfront price and any rectangular or freeform shape, but the liner wears out and must be replaced periodically, and sharp objects can tear it.
  • Fiberglass: a factory-made shell installed in days. Smooth, algae-resistant surface and low upkeep, but sizes and shapes are limited to what can be trucked to your home.
  • Concrete (gunite or shotcrete): the most flexible and durable option, built on site to any shape and depth. It costs the most, takes longest to build, and plaster finishes need resurfacing every decade or so.
  • Above-ground: a fraction of the cost and quick to install, often without major excavation, but less durable and harder to blend into the yard.

Estimated cost by size and type

SizeVinylFiberglassConcrete
12 × 24 ft$37k–$69k$50k–$95k$58k–$101k
15 × 30 ft$59k–$108k$79k–$149k$90k–$158k
16 × 32 ft$67k–$123k$90k–$169k$102k–$179k
18 × 36 ft$84k–$156k$113k–$214k$130k–$227k

Pool installation only; k = thousand dollars. Inground: cost per sq ft of water surface, installation only. Above-ground: total installed range.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 16 x 32 inground pool cost?

For the pool itself, roughly $67k–$123k for vinyl, $90k–$169k for fiberglass and $102k–$179k for concrete, using the per-square-foot ranges on this page. Decking, fencing and landscaping are extra.

What is the cheapest type of inground pool?

Vinyl liner pools usually have the lowest upfront cost. Over 20 years, though, liner replacements narrow the gap with fiberglass, which has the lowest maintenance. Concrete costs the most but allows any shape and size.

How much does an above-ground pool cost installed?

Typically $1,600 to $7,500 installed (HomeGuide pricing as cited by HomeServe (2026)). Decks, heaters and site leveling add to that.

What costs are not included in a pool quote?

Often: decking or patio, fencing required by local code, permits, electrical runs to the equipment pad, gas lines for a heater, landscaping and repairing lawn damage from excavation. Ask every builder for a written list of what is and is not included.

Why do pool cost estimates vary so much?

Region, soil, access for excavators, pool size and finish level all move the price, and published ranges differ in what they include. Treat any calculator, including this one, as a starting point and get at least three local quotes.

See all Pool Cost Calculators.

Last updated: · Written and maintained by Raul Vaquerizo